Ken Kamen, president of Mercadien Asset Management in Hamilton Township, said the heavy burden of student loan debt is "all too common" among their clients. So many people "are behind the 8 ball," contributing to the $1.52 trillion nationwide issue.

"Once you sign on the line, that's debt you have and that debt stays with you. Even bankruptcy doesn't absolve it," Kamen said, noting sizeable debt could affect one's ability to make other big purchases going forward.

Kamen said "it should be a crime" to discuss college finances with high school seniors in terms of aggregate dollars.

"These are big abstract numbers to them," he said. "Everything should be quoted in future monthly payments because that brings it down to ground zero for young people."

At $18,425, Utah posted the lowest average debt per borrower in the LendEDU report. Pennsylvania posted the highest — $36,193.